Dealmaster —

Get a recommended pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones for $68 today

Dealmaster also has deals on Bluetooth speakers, wireless keyboards, and more.

A collage of consumer goods (mostly electronics) against a white background.
Ars Technica

Today's Dealmaster is headlined by a nifty deal on Anker's Soundcore Life Q30, as the wireless noise-canceling headphones are currently available for $68 at various retailers. That's $12 off the device's typical going rate online and only $4 higher than the lowest price we've tracked.

While we recently sang the praises of the $200 Puro Pro headphones, the Soundcore Life Q30 is a great choice for those who can't spend that much. We haven't formally reviewed the headphones on the site, but we have tested them for future buying guides and have been impressed with their quality. For well under $100, they offer a comfortable design that's well-padded and light on the head (if heavy on plastic), tremendous battery life that can supply more than 40 hours per charge (depending on volume), USB-C charging, physical volume and playback controls, and convenient multidevice pairing.

In terms of sound quality, the Soundcore Life Q30 has a "V-shaped" signature, which means they accentuate the bass and treble ranges at the expense of some midrange detail. The bass is particularly emphasized, so many hip-hop and pop tracks will have some serious punch. The headphones are definitely not a device for audio purists who like their cans to be as true to a song's recording quality as possible, but if you prefer a more excited sound (and many do), the Soundcore Life Q30 provide that without sounding sloppy. What's more, Anker's companion app has a graphic EQ with several presets that let you customize the sound into something brighter or more flat.

While the headphones' active noise cancellation isn't as effective as that of Sony's WH-1000XM4, it can still muffle a significant amount of low-end noise (e.g., a plane engine or rumbling train) while cutting out a noticeable level of higher-pitch sounds. The noise cancellation also includes a "transparency" mode that blends outside noise with your music without overwhelming either. Again, this isn't as smooth as similar features on more expensive pairs, and it has a more noticeable effect on the headphones' audio quality. But considering that the Soundcore Life Q30 costs a quarter of the price, all of this is close enough to present great value.

If you don't need a new set of headphones, though, we also have deals on a recommended Bluetooth speaker (which is also from Anker), an excellent USB-C fast charger from RavPower, accessories for the iPhone and Nintendo Switch, Instant Pots, and much more. You can have a look at our full rundown below.

Note: Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

Gearmaster: An Ars newsletter
Our latest newsletter is all gadgets, all the time. Sign up to receive a tightly curated collection of Ars' best product reviews, gear coverage, and Dealmaster roundups each week.

Top 10 deals of the day

Anker's Soundcore Life Q30 is an impressive wireless noise-canceling headphone that costs less than $100.
Enlarge / Anker's Soundcore Life Q30 is an impressive wireless noise-canceling headphone that costs less than $100.
Jeff Dunn

Laptop and desktop PC deals

  • Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 laptop—Intel Core i5-1035G7, 13.5-inch 2256x1504, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $899.99 at Microsoft (normally $1,300).
  • Lenovo Chromebook Duet 2-in-1 tablet—MediaTek Helio P60T, 10.1-inch 1920x1200, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC for $249 at Best Buy (normally $299).
  • SK Hynix Gold S31 (500GB) 2.5-inch SATA internal SSD for $48.44 at Amazon (clip 15% coupon—normally $57).
  • SK Hynix Gold S31 (1TB) 2.5-inch SATA internal SSD for $89.24 at Amazon (clip 15% coupon—normally $105).
  • 27-inch Gigabyte G27Q gaming monitor—2560x1440, IPS, 144Hz, FreeSync for $279.99 at Amazon and eBay (normally $320).
  • 27-inch Acer Nitro XV272U Vbmiiprx gaming monitor—2560x1440, IPS, 170Hz, FreeSync, HDR400 for $299 at B&H (normally $370).
  • 32-inch LG 32UL500-W monitor—3840x2160, VA, 60Hz, FreeSync for $269.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $330).
<em>Yakuza: Like a Dragon</em> was one of our favorite games of 2020.
Enlarge / Yakuza: Like a Dragon was one of our favorite games of 2020.

Video game deals

<i>Overcooked</i> is a manic co-op party game.
Enlarge / Overcooked is a manic co-op party game.
The Fox in the Forest is a two-player card game we like.
Enlarge / The Fox in the Forest is a two-player card game we like.

Gaming deals

The Logitech G305 Lightspeed is a good wireless gaming mouse for less than $50.
Enlarge / The Logitech G305 Lightspeed is a good wireless gaming mouse for less than $50.
Valentina Palladino

TV and home entertainment deals

  • 55-inch LG CX (2020 model) 4K HDR OLED TV for $1,349.99 at Amazon (clip $47 coupon—normally $1,550).
  • 55-inch Sony A8H (2020 mode) 4K HDR OLED TV for $1,498 at Amazon (normally $1,800).
  • 75-inch TCL S535 (2020 model) 4K HDR QLED Roku TV for $998 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $1,180).
Anker's Soundcore Motion Plus is a full-sounding Bluetooth speaker that won't break the bank.
Enlarge / Anker's Soundcore Motion Plus is a full-sounding Bluetooth speaker that won't break the bank.
Jeff Dunn

Headphones and audio deals

The Logitech K780 is a recommended wireless keyboard for those who work across multiple screens.
Enlarge / The Logitech K780 is a recommended wireless keyboard for those who work across multiple screens.
Valentina Palladino

Electronics deals

Eufy's Indoor Cam 2K is an excellent indoor security camera for those on a budget.
Enlarge / Eufy's Indoor Cam 2K is an excellent indoor security camera for those on a budget.
Jeff Dunn

Smart home device deals

RavPower's RP-PC128 (left) is a powerful 90W USB-C wall charger that can top up your devices at full speed.
Enlarge / RavPower's RP-PC128 (left) is a powerful 90W USB-C wall charger that can top up your devices at full speed.
Jeff Dunn

Accessories and miscellaneous deals

  • RavPower RP-PC128 90W 2-port USB-C PD wall charger for $38.99 at Amazon (clip $8 coupon—normally $50).
  • Prime only: Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger 2-port USB-C PD car charger for $17.99 at Amazon (normally $20).
  • Apple MagSafe Charger 15W wireless charger for iPhone 12 for $34 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $39).
  • Apple Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd gen) and iPad Air (4th gen) for $199 at Amazon (normally $289).
  • Apple Smart Folio (White) case for 10.9-inch iPad Air (4th gen) for $39 at Amazon (normally $79).
  • Aukey PB-WL03 USB-C PD portable battery with Qi wireless charging—18W USB-C PD, USB-A 20,000mAh, 10W Qi for $36.33 at Amazon (clip 10% coupon and use code: HEA8GOI6—normally $46).
  • Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station—500W, 518wH, 3x USB-A, AC, 12V car outlet for $419.99 at Amazon and Jackery (clip $80 coupon—normally $500).
  • SanDisk Ultra (400GB) UHS-I microSDXC card for $44.99 at Amazon (normally $50).
  • Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus (8qt) 10-in-1 electric pressure cooker for $89.98 at Amazon (normally $140).
The iPad Air with Apple's Magic Keyboard and trackpad accessory.
Enlarge / The iPad Air with Apple's Magic Keyboard and trackpad accessory.
Samuel Axon
  • Anker Powerline+ II (10ft) USB-A to Lightning cable for $15.88 at Amazon (normally $22).
  • TaoTronics TT-BR009 Bluetooth audio adapter—Bluetooth 4.2, aptX for $15.99 at Amazon (clip $10 coupon—normally $26).
  • Microsoft Surface Pen (Poppy Red) stylus for $65 at Amazon (normally $70).
  • Logitech Slim Folio keyboard case for iPad (8th/7th gen) for $84.99 at Amazon (normally $97).
  • LapGear Sidekick lap desk with phone holder for $14.99 at Amazon (fits up to 15.6-inch laptops—normally $20).
  • Fully Desk Chair office chair for $249 at Fully (normally $299).
  • ASTI LectroFan Classic white noise machine for $32.17 at Amazon (normally $40).
  • Philips SmartSleep (HF3520) wake-up light for $79.95 at Amazon (normally $105).
  • Vava VA-UC017 7-in-1 USB-C hub—3x USB 3.0, 100W USB-C PD, SD, microSD, HDMI (4K@30Hz) for $21.24 at Amazon (normally $25).

Channel Ars Technica